8 Free Collaboration Tools for K-12 Classrooms

The Google Apps for Education suite is pretty common in K-12 classrooms now, but I would be remiss if I didn’t include it in this list. Students regularly use the applications embedded in Drive like Docs, Calendar and Sites to work together and share information with their teachers and peers. To begin using these collaboration tools, all you need is a gmail address. The apps for education suite is available for free to registered K-12 schools.

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Classkick is an iPad app that allows students to receive instant feedback on their assignments. Teachers first create a digital assignment via Classkick and can then use the app to view their students iPad screens in real-time, allowing for quick feedback and intervention as they work. Students can also make a private request for help from their teacher and can even assist a classmate in need.

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Edmodo is similar to a learning management system. It’s a social learning platform that allows teachers to post and collect assignments, create discussion boards and interact with students outside the physical walls of the classroom. The Edmodo app is available for iOS, Android and Windows.

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Schoology is a digital ecosystem that allows students and teachers to remain connected during the school day and beyond. It’s a place where teachers can post discussion questions for students, manage grades, distribute and collect digital assignments and promote collaboration between students.

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Cacoo is a web-based diagram creation tool that allows multiple students to work together on the same graphic. It’s a great tool to create collaborative notes or projects.

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Educators and students can receive a free RealTime Board account with an .edu email address. RealTime board is a virtual whiteboard that allows you to collaborate on, share and manage projects and notes in real-time. You can upload documents and photos, make annotations and export the finished product to refer back to or upload elsewhere.

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Wikispaces is a social writing platform for education. It’s an online workspace where students can collaborate on writing assignments and group projects. Teachers can store course content and share information. They also have access to analytics tools that measure student engagement and contributions to the Wikispace social community.

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Padlet is an online bulletin board that allows users to post text, pictures and video. Teachers can use Padlet to create a board that centers on a specific concept. They can also post open ended questions and receive feedback from students. Pictured here is a Padlet board that focuses on “The Odyssey.”

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